Verse: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly, I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Cr. 9:24-27
Trans: We have been talking about those five essential elements every Christian must employ to accomplish God’s will and win the upward call of Jesus – worship, Bible study, prayer, evangelism, and stewardship.
Note: It is God’s heart that His children know Him and know Him intimately.
It is God’s passion that His disciples live according to His Word.
It is God’s yearning that His children communicate w/ Him in prayer.
It is God’s desire that His children love one another and share His gospel.
It is God’s mandate that His children are faithful stewards of His blessings.
Define: God’s will is nothing more than God’s way – It just so happens to be a way beyond our understanding…
Funny: Farmer who longed to be an evangelist was sitting under a tree after a hard day. He looked up into the sky and saw the clouds in the shape of the letters “P” and “C” and immediately hopped up, sold his farm and went out to P-reach C-hrist. But he was a terrible. After one sermon, a neighbor asked him, “Are you sure God wasn’t trying to tell you to P-lant C-orn.
Truth: We often miss God’s will b/c we have a misconception of God’s will.
Truth: God’s will is that we live and look just like Jesus!
Quote: He is the potter; we are the clay. He is the shepherd; we are the sheep. He is the Master; we are the servant. No matter how educated we are, no matter how much power and influence we may think we possess, no matter how long we have walked w/ Him, no matter how significant we may imagine ourselves to be in His plans, none of that qualifies us to grasp why He does what He does when He does it and how He chooses to do it.
Truth: God’s will is a way beyond our understanding, yet it is a way in which we are called to think and live.
Truth: This can only happen if I know God in worship; take Him at His Word; seek His will in prayer; tell others of Him; and give as He has given to me.
Trans: We must remember that to eliminate any of these elements will disqualify us from winning the prize God has reserved for those who love Him.
Trans: So where do we begin? We begin w/ what God has given us
1 His Presence (Spirit)
2 His Precepts (Word)
3 His Priority (Call)
Verse: It is God himself who makes us, together with you, sure of our life in union with Christ; it is God himself who has set us apart, who has placed his mark of ownership upon us, and who has given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us. 2 Cr. 1:21-22
Verse: May grace and peace be yours in full measure through your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. God’s divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly godly life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own glory and goodness. 1 Pt. 1:2-3
Verse: Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such opposition from sinners against himself, that you would not grow weary fainting in your souls. Heb. 12:2-3
Verse: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above and not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col. 3:1-4
Lesson: We are to set out hearts affection and minds attention fully on the Lord.
Our external walk and internal compass should point in God’s direction.
Trans: A few weeks ago as I was prayerfully planning this message, I received an e-mail w/ a commercial clip that made me think of the pursuit of God’s will.
Video: Reebok – Terry Tate Office Linebacker Commercial
Trans: If we are going to be about the Father’s business, then we are going to have to tackle four important principles required to the will of God.
I The Will of God Requires Vigilance
Truth: There are no breaks or vacations in the Christian life.
Reality: If we ever drop our guard the enemy will flood in and seek to kill, steal and destroy our walk w/ God, our church family, and our homes.
Verse: Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. 1 Pt. 5:8
Note: We can never drop our guard or go off line – we are to pray w/out ceasing.
Verse: Be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain. 1 Cr. 15:58
II The Will of God Requires Excellence
Truth: The Christian life requires my very best all the time.
Peeve: Giving to God half an effort or giving Him the leftovers. God not only deserves your best; He requires it. Yet few Christians give God their best – they usually save that for someone or something else.
Example: God rejected Cain’s offering b/c it was not his best. Cain was not even concerned w/ giving God His best – he gave God the leftovers.
Verse: Later Cain brought some crops from the land as an offering to the LORD. Abel also brought some choice parts of the firstborn animals from his flock. The LORD approved of Abel and his offering, but he didn’t approve of Cain and his offering. Gen. 4:3-5
Note: There is an evil, demonic presence in churches and in the lives of Christians that believes that God does not deserve or require our very best. (butterball)
Verse: In everything you do in word and deed, do it to the glory of God. Col. 3:17
Verse: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things. Likewise, keep practicing these things: what you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. Ph. 4:8-9
Truth: God deserves and requires your best – What are you giving to Him?
III The Will of God Requires Integrity
Truth: The Christian life requires that I live a life above reproach.
Verse: O LORD, who may stay in your tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one who walks with integrity, does what is righteous, and speaks the truth within his heart. Ps. 15:1-2
Quote: The most dangerous fault in American life today is the lack of interest in truth and integrity. While it would appear that finding the truth is difficult for some, the greater problem is facing it.
Define: Integrity is facing yourself as you face the truth.
Quote: It is who you are when no one else is looking. It is living in such a way you would feel comfortable about reading your life in tomorrow’s newspaper.
Verse: Integrity guides decent people, but hypocrisy leads treacherous people to ruin. Pr. 11:3
Better to be a poor person who has integrity than to be rich and double-dealing. Pr. 28:6
Verse: If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation. Pr. 22:1
Note: I see far too many people in life who are willing sell out their integrity for next to nothing. Neither your integrity nor God’s will, is ever for sale.
IV The Will of God Requires Intensity
Truth: The Christian life is not a game – it has eternal consequences.
Verse: For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. We will each receive what we deserve, according to everything we have done, good or bad, in our bodily life. 2 Cr. 5:10
Truth: The Christian life is serious business. The souls of men, the sanctity of marriage hang, he solitude of families, and the significance of churches hang in the balance
Quote: The will of God is not something you add to your life. It is a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Son of God… or you capitulate to the principles which govern the rest of the world. E. Elliot
Verse: Choose you this day whom you are going to serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Josh. 24:15
